The U.S. Department of State have formally opened purposes for the 2026 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program, providing a sport-altering alternative for rising entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
This totally funded, 4-week skilled alternate fellowship brings collectively ahead-considering enterprise founders and social impression leaders to collaborate with U.S.-based companies, improve their entrepreneurial expertise, and construct a cross-continental community of changemakers. If you’re able to develop your small business, achieve fingers-on skilled expertise, and grow to be part of a dynamic community of greater than 1,500 alumni, that is your likelihood.
What is the YLAI Fellowship?
The YLAI Fellowship, launched by the U.S. Department of State, is designed to strengthen ties between entrepreneurs within the United States and the Western Hemisphere. Fellows interact in a singular mix of in-individual and digital studying experiences, together with:
- Four-week immersive placement with a U.S. group aligned with your small business targets
- Leadership and entrepreneurship coursework delivered on-line and in individual
- Professional coaching, networking occasions, and web site visits throughout the U.S.
- Lifelong connection to the YLAI Alumni Network and U.S. entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are eligible in the event that they meet the next standards:
- Aged 25 to 35 firstly of this system (April–June 2026)
- Citizen and present resident of one of the eligible nations
- Have a minimal of two years’ expertise as a founder or government of a enterprise or social enterprise
- Not a U.S. citizen or everlasting resident
- Fully obtainable to journey to the United States throughout the fellowship interval in 2026
This program isn’t just for conventional enterprise entrepreneurs – social innovators, changemakers, and founders of impression-pushed ventures are all inspired to apply.
What’s Covered?
YLAI is a totally funded program, which means all journey, lodging, medical health insurance, and fellowship-associated bills shall be coated by the U.S. Department of State. Fellows will even obtain assist all through this system, together with skilled mentorship, cultural orientation, and entry to prime-tier networking occasions.
Call: https://bb.usembassy.gov/apply-for-the-ylai-fellowship-program/
Apply: https://ylai.state.gov/.
Application Deadline
The final date to apply for the 2026 YLAI Fellowship is May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EST).
2026 Young Leaders of Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Opens FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS